Black Catholic History
Mother Lange, who was born in Cuba to Haitian parents, came to the United States around 1813, settling near Baltimore. She saw that the children of immigrants needed education. She and her friend opened a free school to educate children of color.
On July 2, 1829, Elizabeth and three other women made their religious vows and founded the Oblate Sisters of Providence, an order that continues today. Elizabeth took the name Sister Mary and she was known as Mother Mary since she was their foundress and first superior.
The Oblate Sisters educated and provided a home for orphans, taught freed slaves who wished to join their community and gave shelter to elderly.
Mother Lange died in 1882. She was named “Servant of God” in 1991 and “Venerable” in 2023.
Sources:
- United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website: https://www.usccb.org/news/2023/pope-declares-venerable-mother-lange-fatima-visionary
- Pflaum Gospel Weeklies © Bayard, Inc.
Commonweal Discussion Group
Our newly inaugurated Commonweal magazine discussion group held its first meeting on Saturday morning, February 8. Our next meeting is at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1.
All our welcome. You need not be a subscriber. There’s no fee. If you do want to join us, please email me by this Thursday noon, February 27. I’ll send you a copy of the article we’re going to focus on for March 1. I promise you an engaging conversation.
We meet in the Parish Center Community Room. We’ll wrap up by 11:30 a.m.
There’s a back story to all of this. Commonweal has long been a favorite of mine. The magazine covers current events and the arts from a lay Catholic perspective. After arriving at St. Matt’s, I was glad to learn that Commonweal was also one of Fr. Steve Adrian’s favorite magazines. I’ve since learned that other St. Matt’s parishioners are also fans.
Questions? Email me.
Thanks,
Phil Grant
St. Matthew’s 36th Annual Fish Fry
The annual dine-in with table service or curbside-to-go Lenten Fish Fry will return on March 7 through April 18, 2025 from 4:30 to 7:30 PM in the St. Matthew Social Hall. See the flyer for more information.
You’re Invited!
The Saint Paul Deanery Council of Catholic Women rescheduled its February quarterly meeting to Thursday, March 6th, at Saint Matt’s in the Social Hall. Check-in, morning refreshments and socialization start at 8:15 am, the business meeting starts a 9:00 am and the program starts at 10:00 am, followed by noon Mass and lunch. Casa Guadalupana is the program, and they will be including an update on the impact of mass deportation and what parishes and individuals can do to support our immigrants/refugees/asylum seekers. Cost for the day is $18. The Rosary Society will cover half of that cost for Rosary Society members. Please RSVP by Monday, March 3 by calling: 651-261-2534 or emailing: . All women of the parish are invited to this meeting and program.
Eternal Life
Funeral Mass for Timothy “Tony” Garcia was held at St. Matthew on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Please remember Tony and his family in your prayers.
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